Senate Democrats End Filibustering of Presidential Appointees

In a so called "nuclear" move, Senate Democrats blocked filibusters on presidential appointees.

Their new rule also changes the votes need to approve a nominee from sixty down to just fifty-one.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid made the announcement, saying it was to end gridlocks.

While the ruling limits Republicans from blocking appointees with a direct filibuster, there are other ways left open to them.

It could also force Republicans to take more drastic moves and block lower legislation as a bartering tool.

This means that the Democrat's move will most likely cause even more gridlocks within the Senate.

Supermarket Collapse Kills 6 in Latvia

At least 53 people have been killed and many missing in a supermarket collapse in Riga, Latvia.

The collapse happened in the evening, during one of the busiest times for the store.

As the ceiling came down it brought with it walls, shattered windows, and glass doors.

Twenty minutes later, as first responders were beginning to search for survivors, another section
of the roof collapsed, killing 3 firefighters.

Rescue efforts have continued since Thursday the 21st.  A third section of the roof collapsed on Saturday but no rescue workers were injured.

Latvia has declared 3 days of mourning for victims of the collapse and Pres. Andris Berzens has urged for an independent team of experts to investigate it.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/23/world/europe/latvia-roof-collapse-president/ 

Updated by blessinggiver on 11/24/13 at 09:14

Volcano Creates New Island for Japan

A new island has formed in Japan's Bonin Islands.

The island erupted out of the Pacific Ocean, with an ash plume of two thousand feet.

Officials say that the volcano is about a thousand feet long by six hundred and fifty feet.

It is located in the same chain as Iwo Jima, about six hundred and fifty miles south of Tokyo.

If it can stay above the waves, Japan plans to have a contest to give the island a name.

Ohio's House Passes Expanded Stand Your Ground Law

With a vote of sixty-two to twenty-seven, Ohio's house of representatives voted to pass an expanded stand your ground law.

Under the bill, an individual could legally use lethal force if they are defending a location that they are lawfully in.

Supporters say it is important to allow citizens to defend themselves, their property, and their families.

Opponents worry that someone will die because of the bill.

The bill also lowers the amount of training time needed to receive a concealed carry permit, allows for ten years between recertifications, and recognizes concealed carry permits from other states.

It now heads to Ohio's senate.

Sinai Suicide Bomber Kills 11 Soldiers in Egypt

Eleven Egyptian soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing, on Wednesday.

A suicide car bomber struck their bus convoy, in the Sinai Peninsula.

Another thirty-seven of the soldiers were wounded, in the attack.

In a separate incident, someone threw a grenade at a police checkpoint in northern Cairo, injuring four policemen.

No one has claimed responsibility for either attack.

16 Killed by Storm in Italy

Sixteen people have been killed and two are missing after a strong storm struck Sardinia, on Tuesday.

The Italian island received more than a foot of rain, in under twelve hours.


Torrential rains caused flash floods and mudslides.



Damage is widespread and the Italian government has already pledged twenty-seven million dollars in aid.

At least twenty-five thousand people have been displaced by the flooding.

South Africa Building Collapse Kills 1

One person was killed when a shopping mall collapsed in Tongaat, South Africa collapsed.

Dozens more were injured when a hundred yard section of the mall fell.

Tuesday afternoon's collapse occurred at a mall, which was under construction.

Rescue workers searched into the night for survivors and victims.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the collapse.

Iranian Embassy in Lebanon Targeted by 2 Suicide Bombings Killing 23

Twenty-three people were killed when a pair of suicide bombers struck the Iranian embassy in Beirut.

One hundred and forty-six people were injured in the double blast.

It began when a suicide bomber ran up to the wall of the embassy compound and blew himself up.

As a crowd gathered and some ran to give aid to the wounded, a second suicide bomber blew up his car.

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the Lebanese branch of Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

It's A Wonderful Life Sequel Announced

Hollywood is continuing it's line of sequel making, with an announcement on Monday.

The latest film to be getting a sequel is the 1946 classic, It's A Wonderful Life.

It doesn't seem that the creators bothered putting much thought into it.

In the sequel, which will be set in today's world, George Bailey's grandson, also named George Bailey, will be the main character.

It's this George's turn to find out how the world would be different had he not been born.

His angel guide will be played by Karolyn Grimes, who played as Zuzu, George's youngest daughter, in the original movie.

At this point, no one else has been cast, but it could be quite interesting to see who is picked to play Jimmy Stewart's part.

It's A Wonderful Life: The Rest of The Story is set to hit theaters for the holiday season in 2015.

25 Sickened by Carbon Monoxide at Utah Elementary School

Twenty-five staff and students were sickened at Montezuma Creek Elementary School, in Utah.

Carbon monoxide leaked through the school, forcing it to be evacuated, on Monday.

A student and a member of the staff were both airlifted to Cortez, Colorado due to the seriousness of their condition.

The student has since been released, while the staff member is being kept over night for observation.

All twenty-three others were treated locally.